Winter lasts a very loooooooonnnnnng time here in Brussels. We had so much snow this year and lots of cold weather..........below freezing temperature's for days on end.
Just when I thought Spring might be 'round the corner, along comes a few more snow showers.
Here are pics of the girls having fun during the incredibly long Winter.
We've just celebrated Grace's 3rd birthday and as always, I wonder where's the time gone. Just the other day we celebrated her arrival into this world and now she's a big 3 year old girl.
The weekend was spent with friends in Holland. We had a GREAT time celebrating, from our arrival the Friday night, to our departure on the Sunday. Their little girls, Riley and Aryel are so close in age to our girls that it was just perfect. While the girls played and played we had the opportunity to talk and laugh together with good friends. It's rare..........well, practically non-existent for us to spend time chatting with friends until late into the night, but this was part of the joy of the occasion.
Saturday was spent at a play-park where the girls, including us adults, had a fabulous time. It's so hard to plan Grace's birthday because of the time of year. It's always cold up here in the Northern hemisphere. This occasion however, was perfect. The girls had a blast!!! They were even treated to a special circus show. I look forward to celebrating her next birthday in the Southern hemisphere..........warmer weather.
Grace has changed and grown over the last year. She repeats everything we say, she's good at telling her sister what the rules are, she's grown in confidence, she's a great helper around the house, she says "I love you" often, she's become far too adept at working our pc, she's learning to problem-solve, she wants to dress and wash herself and she enjoys taking care of her little sister. The list goes on and on......... Grace has also started school this month. She goes from 8:25-12:00. She's the only little girl who stays till 12 noon, all the other kids are there till 3:25pm. Her first week was rough, but she's adjusting well now. The only problem is she's been sick too often. All those little germs are attacking her immune system.
Gracie we love you and we are soooooooo very happy God chose us to be your mommy and daddy.
Christmas was quiet, low-key and held at home this year. This was the first Christmas in many years that was spent on our own as a family. Of course we do miss our extended family, but as the girls grow older, Christmas has become more "fun" for Glynn and I.
Christmas Eve was spent at church welcoming the birth of our Saviour with friends.
Christmas morning started off with the girls getting up at their usual time.........6am. Then they clambered upstairs to greet their gifts. Such fun and excitement as each gift was ripped open. We called mom and dad's in NZ so that they could participate in our Christmas morning.............as it was already evening where they were. How great is technology that we can share these very special times despite the miles between us.
I outdid myself in the cooking department this year. We enjoyed a meal of stuffed chicken, veggies and steamed Christmas pudding. The only regret I have is not making more food as there were no left-overs the following day.
I look forward to celebrating Christmas 2010 in New Zealand this year. I'm sure we'll be there by then. But, who knows...............
Thank you Jesus for coming to earth to save the world!!
We had the joy of celebrating in Nathan and Cara's wedding on the 24th of October. The wedding was held on a wine estate, Meerendal in Durbanville. The chapel was an old converted cow shed, very quaint. The reception hall opened onto green lawns and lounge chairs. It was just perfect!!!
We just got back from a super family holiday in Cape Town, South Africa.
The girls just blossomed while we were there. Grace learned to say everyone's names and when there were too many family around she would revert to aunt, uncle and even mommy(when they had children) She talked non-stop and amused and delighted everyone. Nina ( a mommy's girl) learned that it was OK to be taken care of by others. She started walking while in CT and found her voice in a very loud way. The girls got to play outside all the time, there was a cat and dogs to entertain them(Gracie learned to give Patches cat food), they got to pick flowers and water the plants, they played in the big ocean, running away from the waves when it got too close, they ran under the sprinkler in the garden on a very, hot day, they got to shop and eat all the wrong things. It was FUN, FUN, FUN!!!
We got to eat all our favourite foods and more....YUM,YUM!! I put on some extra kilo's while there. :-(
I got to meet up with a school friend I haven't seen in about 17 years and a cousin whom I hadn't seen in about 14 years. It was good to catch up with both family and friends, especially when it feels like you've never been apart in so many years.
Now, we're back in Brussels and it's cold and wet. We're getting used to life with just our little family again. We miss you all!!!
It was a blessing and privilege to be able to spend time with family again. It's something that should not be taken for granted. Our days are numbered and we don't know when we'll see one another again. Say and do what you need to while you have the time.
We created many special memories and took lots of pictures. The girls continue to enjoy looking at the videos and pics and we're thankful for the time we had together.
